Hamilton-Wenham Garden Club sows seeds for April 28 'Books in Bloom' event

By Dan Legerehamilton-wenham@wickedlocal.com

Monday

Apr 16, 2018 at 2:30 PMApr 16, 2018 at 4:02 PM

A new event is springing up again in Hamilton and Wenham, looking to become a perennial favorite.

The Hamilton-Wenham Garden Club will hold its second annual “Books in Bloom” fundraiser on Saturday, April 28, from 7-9 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Hamilton.

This springtime event is a showcase of literature-inspired floral arrangements created by members of the community. Entries from people of all ages are expected. This event will also feature a silent auction with donations and gift baskets from local restaurants and businesses. Admission is $10 per adult and $5 per child.

“Books in Bloom” co-chair Candy Martinez is looking to build on last year’s successful event.

“This is our second year presenting ‘Books in Bloom’ to the community,” Martinez said. “This year we will have 30 designs inspired by books. The designers range from age 6 to 90. Children’s books and ‘classics’ are always a favorite to represent.”

The idea for “Books in Bloom” was inspired by an annual event hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston called “Art in Bloom.” This MFA event uses works of art featured at the museum as inspiration for floral arrangements. The arrangements in “Art in Bloom” are done by professionals, while arrangements for “Books in Bloom” are created by community members young and old.

“Any type of book can be used, and there are no design ‘principles’ that must be followed,” she said. “It is open to the community and will not be judged. The designer is not constrained by limits, so that makes is more fun, especially for children and those new to designing.”

Proceeds from “Books in Bloom” will go to the Garden Therapy Committee, which holds regular floral workshops for senior citizens, and the Hamilton-Wenham Garden Club’s “Garden for the Community” project.

“HWGC’s ‘Garden for the Community’ is a long term project coordinated by a team from the garden club and the Town of Wenham,” Martinez said. “Pingree Park is the location of a plot of land that was previously unused except for parking. We have a two-year, five-year, and eight-year plan for establishing a small and manageable garden space, which offers an opportunity for our residents to sit, think and enjoy the local surroundings.”

“We are focusing on native plants to take advantage of trees, shrubs and flowers that will be happy to live there and provide food, shelter and seasonal interest for our local birds, bees and other animals.